Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
'The First being a little _Black Man_, being but 3 Foot high, and 32
Years of Age, strait and proportionable every way, who is
distinguished by the Name of the _Black Prince_, and has been shown
before most Kings and Princes in _Christendom_. The next being his
Wife, the _Little Woman_, NOT 3 Foot high, and 30 Years of Age, strait
and proportionable as any Woman in the Land, which is commonly call'd
the _Fairy Queen_, she gives a General satisfaction to all that sees
her, by Diverting them with Dancing, being big with Child. Likewise
their little _Turkey Horse_, being but 2 Foot odd Inches High, and
above 12 Years of Age, that shews several diverting and surprising
Actions, at the Word of Command. The least Man, Woman and Horse that
ever was seen in the World Alive. _The Horse being kept in a Box._ The
next being a strange Monstrous Female Creature, that was taken in the
Wood in the Desarts of ÆTIOPIA in Prestor _John's_ Country, in the
remotest parts of AFFRICA, being brought over from _Cape de Bon
Esperance_, alias _Cape of Good Hope_; from hir Head downwards she
resembles Humane Nature, having Breasts, Belly, Navel, Nipples, Legs,
and Arms like a Woman, with a long Monstrous Head, no such Creature
was ever seen in this part of the World before, she showing many
strange and wonderful Actions which gives great satisfaction to all
that ever did see her. The next is the noble _Picary_ which is very
much admir'd by the Learned. The next being the Noble _Jack-call_, the
Lion's provider, which hunts in the Forest for the Lion's Prey.
Likewise a small _Egyptian Panther_, spotted like a _Leopard_. The
next being a strange monstrous Creature, brought from the _Coast_ of
_Brazil_, having a Head like a Child, Legs and Arms very wonderful,
with a long Tail like a Serpent, wherewith he feeds himself, as an
_Elephant_ doth with his Trunk. With several other Rarities too
tedious to mention in this Bill.'
Before quitting the natural history shows we must notice
'The finest Taught Horse in the World.
These are to give Notice to all Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others, that
are Lovers of Sport and Ingenuity, that at the _Ship_ on _Great Tower
Hill_ will be shewn a Dancing Horse, which performs a great many
Dexterous Actions at the Word of Command, Viz., He fetches and carries
like a Spaniel Dog, if you hide a _Glove_, _Handkerchief_, _Door Key_,
_Pewter Bason_, or so small a thing as a _Silver Two Pence_, he will
seek about the Room till he finds it and brings it to his Master.
'Turn him loose in the Room without either Bridle or Halter on his
Head, altho' there were a hundred People in the Room, some paying as
they come in, and some not paying, yet let them sit and be mixed one
amongst another, he will find them out that have not payd from the
rest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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